Message from the Principal – Christine Harding

Welcome to the community of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer. Striving for excellence, we are the only specialist all-girls school in the Sutherland Shire.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we begin the new school year, this prayer is an invitation to God’s guidance and blessings for all those in our school community. It asks for wisdom, patience, and strength for both teachers and students, seeking to create an environment where learning is nurtured and Mercy values are upheld.

Loving God,

As we begin this new school year,

we thank You for the gift of learning and community.

Bless our teachers with wisdom and patience,

that they may guide us with care and understanding.

Bless our students with a thirst for knowledge,

a heart open to learning, and a spirit of curiosity.

Grant us the strength to face new challenges,

the courage to ask questions, and the grace to grow together.

May our school be a place where we support one another

and live out the teachings of Christ with love and kindness.

Help us to work with integrity, respect, and compassion.

Our Lady of Mercy Keep us under your protection and Bless our school

Venerable Catherine McAuley Pray for us

Welcome

We welcome our new students, new parents and new staff to our community and welcome back those who were part of the OLM community last year. In particular, we welcome our Year 7 and other new students as we begin a year of learning, growing and working together..

Our new staff who have joined our community:

Mrs Karen Shawcross – Assistant Principal
Mr Ian Anderson – Religious Education Coordinator
Mrs Bernadette Coppock – Instructional Leader Curriculum – English
Mr Christopher Shelston – Instructional Leader Wellbeing – Year 9
Mr Reece Bailey – Instructional Leader Wellbeing – Year 8
Ms Kate Berger – English and Newman Facilitator
Mrs Serena Gilligan – Science Teacher
Mr Samuel Zaky – English Teacher
Mr George Theoharis – Mathematics Teacher
Ms Josephine Jefferys – HSIE Teacher
Ms Lisa Peric – English Teacher
Mrs Liz Bates – Diverse Learning Teacher
Ms Irina Ivanova – Mathematics Teacher
Mrs Rhiannon O’Connor – HSIE Teacher
Ms Natachia Boyle – Learning Support Officer

It has been a very positive start to the 2025 academic year. Staff have have been working with your daughters on;

Learning Culture: All students were reminded of their rights and responsibilities as members of the OLM Learning Community.
Attendance: Emphasis was placed on the importance of understanding attendance expectations for academic success.
Diary: Students were made aware of the diary’s role as the primary tool for communication and organisation between school and home.
Uniform: Clear guidelines were provided regarding grooming, jewellery, and expectations for both school and sports uniforms.

A huge thank you to the Instructional Leaders of Wellbeing and our Homeroom Teachers who have worked very closely with your daughters in ensuring they began the year well informed and ready for learning.

Soiree By the Bay

It is with great joy that I reflect on the success of our recent Soirée by the Bay. Over 200 parents attended, making it an incredible evening of connection and community. This event provided a valuable opportunity to meet our dedicated teachers, strengthen relationships, and bring our school community closer together.

We are excited for the partnership we are building with you as we begin this school year. Working together, we can create a supportive and enriching environment for your daughters to thrive. Your involvement and collaboration are key to the continued success of our College.

We look forward to many more opportunities to engage with you throughout the year and to a wonderful, fruitful partnership ahead.

College Opening Mass

Our Opening College Mass was a prayerful and meaningful start to the school year, celebrated by Fr James McCarthy. It was a memorable occasion, with families and the broader school community gathering to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in our school’s journey.

The Mass included the investiture of our inaugural Senior Student Leadership Team. This was a proud moment as we formally recognised these outstanding students, who will play a pivotal role in guiding our school throughout the year. Their dedication and leadership are certain to inspire all students and contribute to fostering a positive and supportive environment for all.

College Captains

College Captain – Amelia Buhagiar

College Vice Captain – Jana Nikolakopoulos

Portfolio Captains

Faith and Justice Captain – Mia Rajkovic

Stewardship Captain – Olivia Wellington

Co-Curricula Captain – Amber Govindrulu

Learning Captain – Elani Moshous

House Leaders

Baggot House Leaders – Daniella Edwards and Madeline Calabro

Coolock House Leaders – Amelia Gray and Sophie Hammon

Doyle House Leaders – Cathereine Palamara and Cyan McKinnon

Frayne House Leaders – Olivia Middlemiss and Sophie Mooney

Year 9 Thursday Sport with De La Salle Caringbah

This term, our Year 9 students are engaging in a new combined sports program with Year 9 students from De La Salle Caringbah. Based on valuable parent feedback, this initiative offers students a unique opportunity to participate in regular, interactive activities that encourage collaboration between our girls and their peers at De La Salle Caringbah. The aim is to build stronger connections and promote teamwork in a dynamic and supportive environment.

The first rotation of activities kicked off with great enthusiasm, allowing our students to try a variety of recreational sports, including Climb Fit, netball, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. While the primary focus is on recreational sports, students also have the chance to explore creative outlets in art and music, providing a balanced mix of physical and artistic expression.

We look forward to seeing how this program develops, fostering new friendships and promoting wellbeing throughout the term.

Christine Harding, Principal